Suffolk School Board elects Sean McGee chair, Heather Howell vice chair; approves organizational appointments and salary resolution
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Summary
At its Jan. 6, 2026 organizational meeting, the Suffolk Public Schools Board elected Sean McGee chair (4–3) and Heather Howell vice chair (4–3), appointed clerk and deputy clerk, approved a salaries resolution, confirmed committees and superintendent designees, and moved the Jan. 22 meeting to Jan. 29.
Sean McGee was elected chair of the Suffolk Public Schools Board on Jan. 6, 2026, winning the post by a 4–3 roll-call vote after nominations from colleagues. Heather Howell was subsequently chosen vice chair by the same margin.
The organizational meeting included a slate of administrative and calendar actions commonly handled at the start of the year. The board unanimously appointed Ms. Gardner as clerk and Mrs. Johnson as deputy clerk through Dec. 31, 2026, and approved a resolution setting board member and chair salaries for the 2026–27 period. Attorney Waldo told the board an earlier-approved increase crosses fiscal years and will not take effect until January 2027, meaning part of the fiscal year will remain under the prior salary schedule.
Committee rosters were read into the record and approved unanimously. The finance committee was set with members Tyrone Riddick, Dr. Brittingham and Vice Chair Howell (alternate: Chair McGee); the policy review committee includes Slinglove, Chair McGee and Fields (alternate: Jenkins); the citizen support committee includes Jenkins, Fields and Riddick (alternate: Vice Chair Howell). The board also confirmed superintendent designees Dr. Rodney Brown (chief of administrative services) and Dr. Akima Brandt (chief academic officer) for 2026.
The board moved the previously scheduled Jan. 22 meeting to Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at Kings Fork Middle School; that calendar change passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance: - Chair election — Sean McGee elected over Karen Jenkins; roll-call votes recorded: Dr. Brittingham (McGee), Valerie Fields (Jenkins), Heather Howell (McGee), Karen Jenkins (Jenkins), Sean McGee (McGee), Tyrone Riddick (Jenkins), Slinglove (McGee). Outcome: McGee elected, 4–3. - Vice chair — Heather Howell elected over Karen Jenkins; roll-call votes recorded as reflected in the record. Outcome: Howell elected, 4–3. - Appointment of clerk and deputy clerk — Ms. Gardner and Mrs. Johnson appointed through 12/31/2026. Outcome: Passed, unanimous. - Salaries resolution — Approved; Attorney stated the previously approved increase takes effect Jan. 2027 and spans fiscal years. Outcome: Passed, unanimous. - Committee appointments — Approved as read. Outcome: Passed, unanimous. - Superintendent designees — Dr. Rodney Brown and Dr. Akima Brandt confirmed. Outcome: Passed, unanimous. - Calendar adjustment — January 22 moved to January 29 at 6:00 p.m., Kings Fork Middle School. Outcome: Passed, unanimous.
Board Chair McGee closed the meeting after the agenda items were finalized. The next regular business meeting schedule and the newly confirmed committee assignments will guide the board's work through the 2026 calendar year.